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Monday, December 5, 2011

5 Ways to Get Your Guest Post Rejected (at 5-Star Blogs!)

Google the phrase “guest blogging opportunities,” and you’ll likely render results in the million.1,820,000 entries to be exact, (at the time of this writing). It’s no secret to today’s blogger that guest blogging is a great way to garner traffic and get in front of new audiences; so everybody’s pretty much on board.

And with this awareness comes extreme competition.In fact, I’ve read somewhere that guest posting is how hot-shots like Darren Rowse and Leo over at Write to Done actually launched and built their blogging “empires“, if you will.

Translation? This means that the average blogger can’t be average in his approach. Particularly not when striving to land an “appearance” at award-winning, “top dog” sites to make a name for himself.

As someone who has “walked the walk”, with guest posts at top-tier sites like PRO BLOGGER, Men With Pens, Daily Blog Tips, and Technorati, I can assure you that many are “called” but few are “chosen”. Trust, not everyone will make the cut! Truth be told, for some of these posting “privileges,” I’ve had to submit multiple times before I was actually even considered.

Armed with insider’s secrets, I’ll share with you 5 blogging blunders that can sabotage your success.

1. Relying solely on good writing skills. So you think you’re pretty awesome when it comes to penning pieces, and this will likely get your foot in the door and help you to advance your swagger? Think again. Top-tier blog owners are not easily impressed. Mere words won’t woo them. In a month’s time they may receive hundreds of guest post requests. Many from folks with awesome credentials and creative awards. Which is why being good isn’t good enough, my friend. You’ve got to be good, and strategic, and credible, and eloquent, and unique and have a fairly decent home blog to boot! That’s just a start.

2. Neglecting to check the archives.Listen up. No matter how well you write, your “voice” will fall upon deaf ears if you’re singing the same tune. Since great minds think alike, sometimes there may be duplication in content over an extended period of time, with various authors, but for the most part, originality is crucial to your success .

3. Forgetting that even online ,“first impressions” count. Things like typos, posts that appear like spam sent to multiple sites, unusual fonts and formatting, can cause you to stand out and be remembered--but not in a good way.

4. Targeting the wrong audience or readership level. After several rejections and scratching my head in frustration from failed attempts, one blog owner at a popular site shared with me that even though she enjoyed my writing, many of her readers would already be familiar with my “words of wisdom”. So I advanced my swagger and took my tips up a notch for a more “sophisticated” audience. You should too, for sites with Google Rankings of 5 and above. Going above the basics will help you go the distance.

5. Having a sense of entitlement. Guest Blogging is a courtesy, not a right. Even if site owners request guest submissions, that doesn’t mean they have to accept yours. Act accordingly. Be polite and professional in your interaction and adhere to any guidelines provided.

Follow these five tips and you’ll soon discover that much like 5-star hotels, you’ll enjoy the ultimate experience when you’re there!

Your turn. What has your guest posting life been like? Do you agree or disagree with the tips mentioned?

Possibly I will do Guest Posting in the Future, since it can be an interesting way to get more Visitors.

I once had a 'Letter to the Editor' type of writing of mine published in an Online eZine/Newsletter, and did see a little peak in the amount of (extra) visitors, only I haven't created a specific PR Battle Plan for it yet :)

I had my first ever guest-posting experience on your wonderful site :). I really appreciated the opportunity to do so, and the interaction with your readers. Thank you so much for these helpful tips which are invaluable for future attempts I may make at guest posting.

Great words, Jennifer. I think as well as all of that, readers want to know you're approachable. It's always a good idea to be one of the people who converse with your readers. I always look for that in guest posts. People who will not only share two or three words with commenters, but engage them in conversation.

I have had great guest posting experiences. Being strategic and reviewing archives are important. I once submitted a post because I had read a post about blogging for authors on a site I "happened upon". It was up within the next two days. So, timing is important, too.

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About Me

Professional, veteran freelance writer, columnist, Pro Blogger, and "Ghost" writer with about 700 publishing credits, reflecting an array of topics, in multiple genres. My work has appeared in popular, award-winning sites and national magazines, for over a decade.
I'm the former Senior Editor of Mahogany Magazine.
I also serve on the Board of Directors of C.W.A.